Miles Bennett
Golf is a sport played with a variety of equipment, including golf clubs, balls, gloves, and shoes. The golf club, also known as a stick, is the primary piece of equipment used to hit the ball. The term stick is believed to have originated from the historical use of wooden shafts in golf clubs, dating back to the sport's early days in Scotland. While modern golf clubs have evolved to incorporate different materials and designs, the slang term stick has persisted and is widely used even today. Some golfers refer to themselves or their skilled peers as sticks, indicating proficiency with the equipment and, by extension, the game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Slang name | Stick |
| What it refers to | Golf club |
| Reason for name | Golf clubs used to have wooden shafts and heads |
| Earliest use | 1850s |
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What You'll Learn
Golf clubs are sometimes referred to as 'sticks'
Golf clubs are sometimes referred to as "sticks", a slang term that has been in use since at least the 1850s and is still commonly used today. The term originated from the fact that early golf clubs were made of wood, with shafts composed of sticks or branches cut from trees. Over time, while the heads of golf clubs evolved to be made of iron, the shafts remained wooden, particularly in amateur and professional golf, until the 1930s.
The use of the word "sticks" can vary depending on the context. It can refer to the collective set of golf clubs carried by a golfer in their bag. For example, a golfer might ask a friend, "Have you seen my new sticks?", referring to their recently acquired set of golf clubs. The term can also be used in singular form, as in the expression "a good stick", which means a skilled golfer.
There are various expressions in golf that use the word "stick" in different ways. For instance, a golfer who lacks confidence in their driver might choose to play with a "chicken stick", which is a shorter club. If a golfer "sticks it close", it means they have hit their ball close to the flagstick with their club.
In some cases, the term "stick" can be used to refer to a golfer who is particularly skilled at the game. This usage is seen in phrases like "he's a stick", implying that the person is adept at handling their golf clubs. However, it is noted that golfers themselves rarely use the phrase "stick golfer" or "I'm a stick", as these phrases are considered unusual within the golfing community.
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'Sticks' is a term that dates back to the 1850s
The term "sticks" in golf dates back to the 1850s and refers to the golf clubs used in the game. The earliest golf clubs were handmade entirely from wood, including the club heads and shafts. The club heads were commonly made from woods such as apple, pear, dogwood, beech, fruitwoods, lemonwood, ash, and thorn woods. The shafts of the clubs were made from different types of wood, including ash, purpleheart, orangewood, and blue mahoe.
Over time, there have been improvements in the materials used for golf clubs. In the middle of the 19th century, hickory became the preferred wood for shafts, replacing other types of wood. This change brought increased durability to the clubs. However, the long-nose club of the mid-19th century was still prone to breaking at the top of the backswing.
The discovery of American hickory and persimmon in the late 1800s further influenced the evolution of golf clubs. Persimmon became the primary material for club heads, while hickory continued to be used for shafts. The late 1800s also marked the transition from wooden club heads to other materials. Irons, for instance, derived their name from being originally made from forged iron.
Today, golf clubs have continued to evolve, and the shafts are typically made from steel, titanium, other metals, or carbon fiber (graphite). Irons are now investment-cast from steel alloys, allowing for improved designs that offer better distance and performance. The term "sticks" may also be used colloquially to refer to skilled golfers, implying that they can handle the golf clubs effectively.
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'Stick' can be used to describe a good golfer
In the game of golf, the term "stick" is used to refer to a golfer who is very good at the game. While the term "stick golfer" is not commonly used, people often say, "he's a stick", meaning that the person is skilled at handling a golf club. The term is used as a compliment for a golfer and is not something that golfers would normally say about themselves.
The term "stick" is also used to refer to a golfer with no handicap. It is used in the context of scoring, or a score with no handicap. For instance, a golfer might say, "I was 2 over handicap today, or 4 over 'off the stick'". The term can also refer to match play games where handicaps are not considered.
"Stick" is also used to refer to a golfer who is a scratch golfer or better. Scratch golfers are good at calculating the impact of wind speed and direction on their shots and will factor in the wind speed to determine the club to be used for a shot. They also tend to use concise language to describe their shots. For example, when asked to shoot the distance, a scratch golfer might simply say "50" or "50 flag", leaving it to their caddie to decipher the rest.
The term "stick" is also used in other sports and activities that use a stick-like tool, such as disc golf.
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'Chicken stick' is a golfer who lacks confidence and uses a shorter club
The term "chicken stick" in golf refers to a golfer who lacks confidence and chooses to use a shorter club to tee off on a par 4 or par 5, prioritizing accuracy over distance. This strategy is often employed when a golfer wants to play it safe and avoid taking aggressive shots.
While the term "chicken stick" may imply a lack of confidence, it is a strategic choice that can be advantageous in certain situations. By using a shorter club, golfers can improve their accuracy and avoid the dreaded "chicken wing" finish, which is caused by poor wrist action and an out-to-in club path.
The "chicken wing" finish is a common problem in golf, characterized by an extended lead wrist that results in an open clubface and a steep angle of attack. This, combined with excess tension in the arms, shoulders, and forearms, restricts the natural rotation of the body and prevents a proper release through the ball.
To correct the "chicken wing" finish and improve their confidence, golfers can practice with shorter swings, focusing on staying connected and rotating their chests fully to allow for a natural extension of the arms. Additionally, grip pressure experiments can help golfers find the right balance between control and tension, improving their overall swing.
In conclusion, the term "chicken stick" refers to a golfer who makes a strategic choice to prioritize accuracy over distance by using a shorter club. This decision may be influenced by a lack of confidence but can also be a wise tactical move to avoid the "chicken wing" finish and improve overall swing mechanics.
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'Stick it close' means to hit the ball close to the flagstick
In golf, the term "stick it close" means to hit the ball close to the flagstick. The flagstick, also known as the pin, is the pole that holds the flag on a golf hole. It is important to understand the rules surrounding the flagstick, as they can impact your score.
According to Rule 13.2a, you can choose to leave the flagstick in the hole or have it removed before making your stroke. If you decide to keep the flagstick in, you must centre it in the hole without deliberately moving it to gain an advantage, as this will result in a penalty. It is worth noting that putting with the flagstick in is generally less advantageous, with Professor Mase's study finding that only 0.01% of putts from 25 feet or more benefit from having the flagstick in.
Additionally, Rule 13.2b (1) allows you to make a one-handed stroke while holding onto the flagstick pole. However, you cannot use it to steady yourself during the stroke. If your ball accidentally hits the flagstick or the person attending it, there is no penalty, and you play the ball as it lies. On the other hand, if it was deliberate, Rule 11.2c applies, and the ball is considered holed if any part of it is in the hole below the surface, even if the entire ball is not below the surface.
The term “stick” in golf is also used to refer to a skilled golfer, particularly one who is a scratch golfer or better. It implies that the person can handle the golf clubs well and is a compliment often used by others rather than something a golfer would say about themselves.
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Frequently asked questions
Golf clubs used to have shafts made of wood, so the slang term "sticks" came to refer to golf clubs.
Some other types of golf clubs include putters, irons, and hybrids.
"Stick golfer" is a term used to refer to a very good golfer, probably a scratch golfer or better.
